Crane, Claire M., 83, of Whittemore, MI. Claire Marie (Parkin) Crane was born on March 23, 1942, and died on May 17, 2025. She lived a life filled with love and laughter, trusting in Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior.
She was the first born of four children of Rev. Arthur and Doris Parkin. She grew up in the Detroit area. After graduating from Western High School, she enlisted in the U.S. Army, where at 4 ft. 10-1/2 in., she just made the 4 ft. 10 in. height requirement. After her honorable discharge from the service, she began working for Deluxe Check Printing in Detroit.
On November 11, 1966 her father officiated at her marriage to Edward Crane. They had four sons and lived for several years in Roseville, MI. Later, the family moved to Whittemore, MI. During that time she achieved as Associated Degree from Delta College and later worked for a time as a billing clerk in a doctor’s office.
Claire took joy from raising her family and later helping to raise grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved to tell people how many she had of each and would tell you all their names. She was also a huge fan of NASCAR and could be found most Saturday afternoon’s watching the races.
She was a long-time member of the Whittemore Baptist Church, where she sung with her strong also voice and sometime played her flute for special music. She made it a point to be sure all the children in her extended family knew about Jesus and urged them to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Claire is survived by her four sons: Scott, Shawn, Steven (Donna), and Shane (Samantha), as well as Ed’s daughter, Joann Dubiel (Mark), and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her youngest sister, Rev. Penny L. Parking, and Butch Enders (her sister Sara’s husband). She was predeceased by her husband, her parents, by her sister, Sara Parkin, and by her brother, Arthur R. Parkin III.
A celebration of Claire’s life will take place on Friday, June 13, 2025. Location and time to follow soon. An online guest registry is available at www.bureshfuneralhomes.com to share condolences, memories, and photos of Claire.
Obituary written by her loving family.